Kansas Primary Election, August 1 – Online Resources

The primary election for the Kansas Board of Education is coming up on August 1. Everyone is following the election closely, because the creationists currently have a 6-4 majority on the board, but 4 of the creationists are up for reelection, while only 1 of the pro-science candidates is up for relection. Furthermore, in many places in Kansas, the Republicans are so dominant that the real fight is not between a Democrat and a Republican in the general election, but between a moderate Republican and a conservative Republican in the primary.

So, you can expect that the Kansas news will be heating up for the next two weeks. We here at PT will do our best to keep you in the loop, but here are some webpages and blogs based in Kansas that you should follow for the latest firsthand accounts:

[Pro-science candidates for the Kansas Board of Ed.] are receiving NO SUPPORT from outside organizations. In spite of all the bellyaching and agonizing of the national science organizations from AAAS to the National Academy of Science, not one dollar is coming into the state to support the [Kansas Alliance for Education] which is the main grassroots group assembled to fight the attack on evolution

Now, this is not entirely fair, because all of the typical pro-science groups (as far as I know) are 501(c}(3) nonprofit, tax-exempt organizations, and as such are prohibited from campaigning for candidates, although they are free to educate the public about science issues, criticize policies and decisions, etc. This is, I believe, precisely why people in Kansas set up the Kansas Alliance for Education, an official Political Action Committee. Whether not they will be able to counterbalance the bucks evidently being spent on the other side will be an issue worth following.

I will say, though, that I have heard anecdotes about politicians making a similar complaint: science supporters will get up in arms when the fundamentalists implement some policy, and will raise heck for years if necessary until it is pulled – but then, when the elections come around, the fundamentalists back their candidates with money and votes, and the science folks are nowhere to be seen. Is it any wonder, then, that we have continuing issues with science education and science policy in the U.S.?

As someone once said: “The world is run by people who show up.”

In the comments below, in addition to general discussion, please post links to additional useful resources on Kansas.

You’ll find links to the Kansas Alliance for Education and all the moderate candidates – Democrat and Republican – who are fighting to “Take Kansas Back” from the religious right at http://www.redstaterabble.blogspot.com/ (Red State Rabble) Even a small contribution of $5, $10, or $20 will make a big difference to these candidates. Please give generously.

Check out RSR’s lead post today to see just how the radical right is funding their candidates – here’s a hint: reports filed with the Federal Election Commission and the Kansas Ethics Commission indicate they’re using a slush fund composed of shadowy, interlocked PACs to thumb their collective noses at Kansas campaign finance laws.